Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
development, e.g. the Greek National Tourist Offi ce
and the Department of Tourism South Africa;
As well as a very important economic activity - earning
foreign currency for destinations and contributing to
economic development in developed and developing
nations - travel and tourism also has a vital role to play
in helping to alleviate poverty in the world's poorest
countries. Tourism can generate much-needed income
that can be used to invest in education, housing and
healthcare facilities. Travel and tourism also plays an
important social role in promoting harmony between
nations and promoting world peace.
4.
International - some travel and tourism
organisations operate internationally in more than
one country, including airlines, tour operators and
hotel groups;
5.
Global - public sector organisations such as the
World Tourism Organisation based in Madrid are
concerned with global travel and tourism issues,
such as alleviating poverty and sustainable tourism
development.
Weblink
Check out this website for the latest
statistics on international travel and
tourism.
www.world-tourism.org
Activity 2.1
Carry out some research to discover 2 named
examples of travel and tourism organisations (other
than those mentioned above) that operate at the
following geographical levels - local, regional,
national, international and global.
UK travel and tourism
According to a recent study by the consultants Deloitte
'The Economic Contribution of the Visitor Economy'
,
tourism was worth £115.4 billion to the UK economy in
2009, once direct and indirect impacts are taken into
account. This is the equivalent of 8.9% of GDP (standing
for gross domestic product - the total value of goods
and services generated by a country). The number of
jobs supported by UK tourism is forecast to rise from
the current fi gure of 2.6 million to 2.9 million by 2020.
At present, one in 12 jobs in the UK is either directly or
indirectly supported by tourism. Travel and tourism also
plays an important role in regenerating urban and rural
areas in the UK and building community cohesion.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P1.
Importance of travel and tourism
internationally and to the UK
economy
Travel and tourism organisations contribute to the
important role that tourism plays in the world and UK
economies, as described in the following sections.
Weblink
Check out this website for the latest
statistics on the importance of UK travel
and tourism.
www.visitbritain.org
International travel and tourism
Tourism is often referred to as 'the world's biggest
industry' - every day millions of people are travelling
across the globe to enjoy their holidays, meet friends
and relatives, and develop business contacts. Data
from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) shows
that international tourist arrivals for business, leisure
and other purposes were estimated at 880 million in
2009, with a forecast growth to 1.6 billion by 2020.
International tourism generated US$852 in export
earnings in 2009 and supports more than 230 million
jobs across the world.
Activity 2.2
Write a 500-word article for your local paper on the
importance of travel and tourism to the international
and UK economy.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P1.
